I do not have Green Thumbs. I mean, not even one. Back in the day when I worked out of a home office, my boss went abroad for a semester and left me responsible for the plants. It was a bad idea. I watered them according to his instruction, but annihilated one of the lush green ones. Like a parent trying to sneakily replace a dead goldfish overnight, I took a leaf to the plant exchange and bought a new plant that matched. Of course, I didn't tell my boss when he returned from his trip. One day a few weeks later, I got a call, "What kind of a plant did you buy us? It's sprouting white flowers." Cover. Blown.
This reflection actually has nothing to do with my ability to grow and protect greenery, but it DOES have to do with surprise gifts and, ironically, a plant!
I love gift giving. Taking time to find and gift the small things that a person would not expect. Sometimes they are funny. Sometimes they are serious. Sometimes they are memories. But always from my heart and with the goal of touching another person in a special way. Showing a person that I pay attention to who they are and rejoice in their unique flair. Showing a person that they are noticed and heard. They have given something to me, whether or not they are even aware. And it's very important for me to thank them for their impact on my life.
When the holidays roll around, I always try and thank my choirs and musicians in a small way. Because music is life. And music brings life. And the people who make the music should be celebrated and remembered. But this Easter, I had NO idea what to get Kathryn. And I paced the aisles of several stores looking for things that reminded me of her. Something special. Something unique. And nothing. I had already found a small something for everyone else; and Kathryn could not be left out. She was our main guitarist and has done so much work, especially with myself and my Children's Choir.
I was running out of time and my last resort was pacing the aisles of my favorite store (NOT!) ... the CVS in Hoboken. And talking to God. Always talking to God. "Please help me find Kathryn something that matters."
I had a couple iffy things in hand and was about to check out when I rushed down one last aisle. And there I spied some random live small box plants. At CVS? I've never ever seen small box plants at CVS in the middle of an aisle. Maybe bouquets at the front, maybe potted plants outside. But this was something different... and for some reason, they called to me. So I put down whatever else I had in hand and picked up a small purple flower in a box, and said to myself, "THIS is for Kathryn." When something finds YOU like that, you don't ask questions, you just purchase the small purple flower and be on your way.
Easter weekend, Brian got his Sugar Cookie mix with funfetti icing for being sweet & fun. Gretchen got her pickle potato chips with foot cream and face masks for comfort during her pregnancy. The kids in the choir got their multicolored Hawaiian leis to wear, the band got small bottles of alcohol for making it through several intense days. And Kathryn. Well, Kathryn got her purple flower.
And the real gift was just about to bloom.
You see, Kathryn has her own family Easter traditions. And it just so happens that she had spent the weekend baking biscotti and soft toasties just like her Aunt Katie used to do. An aunt who had passed that she was very close to. In fact, Kathryn took the nickname "Katie" after her (which coincidentally is also my nickname). And, that weekend, as Kathryn was baking Aunt Katie's recipes and preparing for Easter guests, she was also 'talking' to her Aunt. Praying to her. All day. And the more she talked, the more Kathryn felt Aunt Katie's presence around her. There in the kitchen together. Baking. Just like old times.
So when I showed up with a purple box flower from CVS, I couldn't have known. I couldn't have known that Kathryn felt Aunt Katie's presence all day. I couldn't have known that this was an African Violet. And I couldn't have known that African Violets were Aunt Katie's favorite flower. And here I (Katie) stood, gifting an African Violet to Kathryn.
This gift wasn't from me... it was from her Aunt.
Kathryn was immediately emotional at the site of the flower and I didn't understand. Until she told me the story. Several times she told me the story. The happiness, the joy, the thankfulness. The Easter miracle.
And for months, Kathryn and her mother have loved on that little box flower from the middle of the aisle at CVS. And still thank me to this day. And, I turn, thank God and Aunt Katie for leading me to Kathryn in a meaningful way.
FAST FORWARD...
You see, when you're dealing with the Divine, you just never know what could happen. Who you can touch. Whose story you might become a part of. You just try to pick up the energy and run with it. People on the 'other side' are still very active and present in our lives, and will find a way to communicate through those that are open to it. Prayers are heard -- both Kathryn's prayers to her aunt and my prayer to "Please help me find Kathryn something that matters."
In this case, Aunt Katie's presence came through me in the form of a "present." And from talking with Kathryn recently, it's a gift that will never be forgotten.
THE MESSAGE...
When it comes to plants, I do not have Green Thumbs. I mean, not even one. Maybe you don't, either. But, that doesn't mean that you aren't constantly planting, watering, growing, and tending to the souls that are around you. Both the living and the passed.
I guess this story has a few important messages:
1. Your loved ones never leave you for good. Watch for their signs.
2. God uses each of us in unexpected ways. Be thankful for those special moments.
3. Prayer is powerful. Never stop talking... even if you don't believe.
And lastly... I guess CVS isn't that bad a place to shop after all :)
xo
© 2018 Katie Riley
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